-1733022152492.webp)
- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sun, 01 Dec 2024 08:49 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
England took a decisive 1-0 lead in the three-match series against New Zealand, thanks to a dominant performance in the first Test at Hagley Oval. The team's triumph was spearheaded by Brydon Carse's outstanding 10-wicket haul, which set the tone for a comprehensive victory. Debutant Jacob Bethell scored a brisk half-century that helped England seal a commanding eight-wicket win.
The day began for New Zealand with a decided sense of purpose they resumed their inning 155/6. The hosts had a wholesomely good start, scoring steadily, nearly five runs per over, but could not last for long.
Brydon Carse struck twice in the same over to send Nathan Smith and Matt Henry packing, dashing their hopes. Both batters hardly stood a chance against Carse's irresistible precision, being dismissed leg before wicket, while the England bowler claimed the milestone of five wickets in the innings.
Tim Southee and the New Zealand tailenders did attempt a counterattack, the highlight of which was six deliveries in which he smashed 12 runs, including two sixes. However, Gus Atkinson cut short Southee's innings before he could do much more damage.
William O'Rourke played a crucial support for Daryl Mitchell in New Zealand's resistance to the English attack for 13 overs. As the leading run scorers in their 45-run partnership for the last wicket, Mitchell scouted the runs while O'Rourke played a bright foil by waiting and defending. Together, they raised New Zealand's fightback total to a respectable 254, giving England 104 runs as their target to win.
In a fitting conclusion to the morning session, Brydon Carse claimed his Test career's first six-wicket haul by dismissing Daryl Mitchell, bringing an end to the New Zealand innings.
After the lunch interval, England's batting started with Ben Duckett weathering a difficult over from Tim Southee. Although Duckett was defeated on several occasions, he survived the early onslaught. It was Matt Henry who delivered the first punch for New Zealand by taking out Zak Crawley, who caught off Henry's own bowling for only one run. Crawley's exit was a sad note of his Test, on which he failed to contribute in both innings.
Without being put off by the early loss, Ben Duckett changed the tactics and showed England's aggressive nature. He hammered Tim Southee for two fours in a row, a tactic which is also called “Bazball”, thus making the most of the little aim of 104-run chase. Duckett's skittishness continued in the next over, as he got 16 runs including a six top-edged that passed over the bowler's head.
New Zealand introduced a bowling change to stop the flow of runs by sending in debutant Nathan Smith to replace the retiring pacer. But to the contrary, Jacob Bethell ventured and drummed Smith for twice the maximum number of allowed runs in his first over. It was this sudden speed in scoring that helped England reach over 50 in seven overs and they carried on with their aggressive play.
William O'Rourke briefly managed to block the way of the clock by dismissing Ben Duckett, who was caught at third man. But the relief was temporary, as the new batter, Joe Root, came and stole the show. At the electrifying conclusion of the over, Root slashed three consecutive fours, so the Ensnd momentum was still unchecked.
Joe Root continued to propel England towards their target, launching his first six of the innings to push the team into the 90s. Following the drinks break, Jacob Bethell mirrored Root's effort, striking a six of his own to maintain England's blistering pace.
In a fitting finale, Bethell sealed the victory for England, scoring the winning runs and, in the process, notching his maiden half-century in just 37 deliveries.
Brief scores: England 499 (Harry Brook 171, Ben Stokes 80, Ollie Pope 77; Matt Henry 4-84) and 104/2 (Jacob Bethell 50*; Matt Henry 1-12) vs New Zealand 348 (Kane Williamson 93, Glenn Phillips 58*; Brydon Carse 4-64) and 254 (Daryl Mitchell 84, Kane Williamson 61; Brydon Carse 6-42).
